Molinaro on the M.T.A.: ‘We’re Screwed’

They’ve been decrying the bailout bill for the authority, which included the underperforming payroll tax, since it passed in May without their votes. One major complaint is that the legisation evenly distributes money across all counties in the M.T.A. service area, regardless of ridership numbers or voting power on the authority’s board.

“It’s not like I vote some way just so I can say, ‘I told you so,’ but we know what we’re getting in the Hudson Valley, and to be told by others that we should take the medicine anyway is obscene,” Molinaro said. He believes there will be political consequences for those who voted in favor of the tax, and thinks the M.T.A. is in a severe bind now.

“Because of the bailout, they won’t get anywhere with New York City. So it’s not as though they can go back to the drawing board. The city Democrats are not going to give them an inch. They’re not going to be able to cut services and resources in the city and they’ve overtaxed the Hudson Valley, so we’re screwed,” Molinaro said. “They’re not generating the revenue. They’re not going to be able to pay their bills, let alone provide more services. It’s the standard Albany practice of not taking a comprehensive, complete look at things.”